Making matters worse, scientists know very little about giraffe behavior: how they live, the space they need to survive, where they move, and even why their necks are so long. (See 14 incredible pictures of giraffes.)

If that’s the case, the northern and reticulated giraffe species may each have fewer than 10,000 individuals left on Earth.

Known for their unmistakable patterned hides, reticulated giraffe live predominantly in northern Kenya, with some remnant populations possibly living in southern Ethiopia and Somalia. The reticulated giraffe has dropped in number by 80 percent in recent decades due to habitat destruction and poaching. (Related: "Giraffes, Zebras Face Surprising Top Threat: Hunting.")

Kenya Wildlife Service rangers waited for tranquilizer to take effect. After 5-10 minutes the giraffe started “high-stepping”, indicating the drug was working. A team then wrapped a rope around the giraffe's legs to bring it down safely.

The process isn’t easy. During the recent fieldwork, Kenyan Wildlife Service veterinarian Mathew Mutinda darted the shoulder or hindquarters of a reticulated giraffe from both a car and a helicopter. As the drug took effect, the giraffe would start “high-stepping”—resembling the movements of a Lipizzaner stallion. Four men would then quickly and quietly run a rope around the giraffe’s legs to bring it down safely. After about 10 minutes, the experts would attach the trackers and release the animal.

These GPS trackers will gain critical insight into reticulated giraffes’ preferred habitat, their home ranges, and more. Knowing which areas are vital to them at different times of year, as well as how they move across the landscape, is essential to ensuring their survival.

If successful, collaring giraffe may assist communities and conservancies to protect these towering icons of Africa.

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An orphan giraffe is being fed by his Samburu keeper at the Namunyak wildlife Consevancy in Kenya. The Samburu are traditionally nomadic pastoralists. The community here has been deeply involved in creating and managing the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy.